Youth Olympics in sight for Young Volcanoes

Team Captain Dean Beeton on the charge at last years event in Taipei

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The U17 Philippine Volcanoes, sponsored by First Pacific, are playing for Youth Olympic Qualification in Tainan, Taiwan this weekend.

The junior competition, which doubles up as the Youth Olympic Qualifier, takes place this Saturday and Sunday 9/10th September. This will be the second time the Philippines take on the rest of Asia at this level. Last year the First Pacific Philippine Volcanoes U18s came away with the bronze medal after beating Singapore in the final of the plate division.

The Philippines have been drawn in Pool B of the two day tournament and will face Uzbekistan, Japan, Lao and Thailand. Seeded sixth going into the competition, the Volcanoes will be looking to cause some upsets.

“Going in as underdogs puts us in a better position. We have a fearless squad and can prove to the rest of Asia why we deserve a place in the Youth Olympics” shared Dean Beeton, Team Captain. The team has youth on their side, built with talent.

“Thanks to First Pacific and the MVPSF Foundation, it is brilliant that players are graduating into the Under 19s, Under 20s and even then Men’s Volcanoes squads. I am excited to see what these younger athletes have to offer on the international stage” Head Coach Jovan Masalunga shared of the First Pacific Philippine Volcanoes.

Masalunga has called up five players from this year’s First Pacific Philippine Volcanoes Under 16s, who won the cup division at the Bangkok International Tens Tournament earlier in the year.

 “Our team has trained extremely hard. They are looking sharp and I can see they really want to make our nation proud, we look forward to this event" shared Masalunga. 

Game times:

Saturday 9th August:

Philippines vs. Uzbekistan - 10.14
Philippines vs. Japan - 13.06
Philippines vs. Lao - 15.14

Sunday 10th August:

Philippines vs. Thailand - 10.44

Finals TBA